A Dorchester school came up with a unique way to celebrate one of its long term employees well deserved promotion.
Mrs Juliet (Jules) Troughton has been an integral part of The Prince of Wales School in Dorchester for the past fourteen years, and is moving on from the school she loves, having earnt a significant promotion.
However, a week before the senior finance and HR officer's last day, the school felt it only befitting to send her off in style with a series of surprises.
The biggest of these came on Saturday, April 20, when Juliet became the unexpected star of her very own Michael McIntyre-style Midnight Gameshow.
Inspired by the popular television format, which sees the host go into an unsuspecting person's home to play a gameshow at midnight, it featured a series of rounds filled with laughter and surprises and was hosted by headteacher, Gary Spracklen.
Speaking about the surprise, Mr Spracklen said: “The Midnight Gameshow event was a testament to the school's commitment to fo"stering a supportive and inclusive community where laughter, friendship and generosity thrive.
Colleagues sneaked into Juliet's bedroom who was fast asleep and in her pyjamas before jumping into the gameshow.
It kicked off with a round of very personalised ‘finance-themed’ questions after the team had surprised Jules in bed just as the clock struck midnight.
As the surprise progressed, there were emotional moments and hilarious revelations during rounds focused on identifying emotions and pleading ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’ to humorous charges.
Special guest hosts, including Mrs Sally Long and former Prince of Wales School parent, Judge Jason Taylor KC, which only added to the excitement.
Speaking about the experience, Juliet said: “I still can’t believe it happened.”
Juliet will be leaving The Prince of Wales School on Friday, April 26 to take up the role of hub leader for six school offices across south Dorset.
Speaking about the promotion, Mr Spracklen added: “Whilst we will miss her presence dearly, we celebrate this well-deserved achievement and wish her every success in her new role”.
To see ‘Jules’ Midnight Gameshow' (the video), people will need to keep a close eye on the school’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/POWFS/.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here